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Comparison of soil characteristics and properties that affect the biodiversity of termites in the coconut plantation and oil palm plantation in Hua Sai Sub-district, Hua Sai District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.

Country:Thailand
Student(s):Mr. Thanapisut Petai, Miss Natradee Chaikull and Miss Kanyakorn Rattanamanee
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Member(s):Natthasit Aunkaew
Contributors:Mr. Thanapisut Petai, Miss Natradee Chaikull, Miss Kanyakorn Rattanamanee, Mr.Natthasit Aunkaew, Miss Teerarat Arunrat, Asst. Prof. Dr. Peeranart Kiddee, Asst. Prof. Anut Kiriratnikom, Asst. Prof. Dr. Akkanee Pewhom
Report Type(s):Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Soil Characterization, Soil Fertility, Soil Moisture - Gravimetric, Soil pH, Soil Temperature, Soil Particle Size Distribution
Presentation Poster: View Document
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:2026-01-29
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This study investigates the physical and chemical soil factors influencing termite’s biodiversity in coconut plantations and oil palm plantations in Hua Sai Sub-district, Hua Sai District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand. Soil and termite samples were collected from 6 study sites. The physical characteristics of the soil were examined following the GLOBE protocols, including soil color measurement, soil texture classification, soil structure measurement, soil cohesion measurement, and chemical soil property analysis including soil pH, soil fertility (N, P, and K), as well as termite identification in the area. The results revealed that soils in both plantation types exhibited a granular structure. The coconut plantation had a silty loam texture with colors ranging from grayish brown to dark grayish brown, whereas the oil palm plantation had clay loam soil with colors ranging from dark gray to dark grayish brown. The average soil moisture content was higher in the oil palm plantation (47.78 ± 7.21%) than in the coconut plantation (28.59 ± 1.44 %), corresponding to a greater diversity of termite species in the oil palm area. Most termite species collected from both sites belonged to the family Termitidae, represented by two genera: Macrotermes (Macrotermes gilvus) and Microcerotermes (Microcerotermes minutus). M. gilvus was found exclusively in the oil palm plantation, while M. minutus occurred in both plantation types. Differences in soil properties between the two habitats influenced both the composition and abundance of termites observed. However, average soil temperature, pH, and nutrient contents did not differ significantly between sites at the 95% confidence level (p < 0.05). This study enhances understanding of the relationship between soil properties and termite diversity. We found that M. gilvus requires habitats with high soil moisture, whereas M. minutus can inhabit both high- and low-moisture soils. It is hoped that this research will contribute to a better understanding of environmental influences on termite biodiversity and provide useful information for ecosystem conservation, agricultural soil management, and future soil fertility assessments.



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